DPW addresses sidewalk maintenance: Residents asked to cooperate

Dana C. Silano

Tuesday

Feb 26, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 26, 2008 at 6:40 PM

Sidewalks are once again an issue for the village of St. Johnsville’s Department of Public Works. Following complaints of the maintenance of them during winter conditions, DPW Superintendent Chris Weaver addressed the village board of trustees at Monday night’s meeting that ice buildup and snow are becoming not only a nuisance to pedestrians, but a safety hazard.

Sidewalks are once again an issue for the village of St. Johnsville’s Department of Public Works.
Following complaints of the maintenance of them during winter conditions, DPW Superintendent Chris Weaver addressed the village board of trustees at Monday night’s meeting that ice buildup and snow are becoming not only a nuisance to pedestrians, but a safety hazard.
“I’ve received several complaints abut the buildup of snow and ice one sidewalks on the way to school,” Weaver said. “We need to figure out just whose responsibility it is, and keep them clean.”
After several minutes of deliberating the issue, Trustee Bernard Barnes said that the location of the sidewalks is the decider of who is responsible for them. For instance, he said, the sidewalks between the St. Johnsville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Failing Avenue are the responsibility of the village. However, the sidewalks in front of residences are subsequently the responsibility of the homeowner, something that becomes an issue in the situation in which there is an absentee landlord.
“People should be making an attempt to keep up sidewalks,” Barnes said.
Weaver agreed. “We’re reminding residents again that they need to do this,” he said.
Village Attorney Norman Mastromoro said that Local Law No. 1 of 2006 addressed this exact situation. The penalty for not taking the proper precautions to maintain neat and safe sidewalks is a $250 fine and/or 10-15 days in jail, plus the risk of a potential lien on your property. He suggested citations for non-compliance, and perhaps trying voluntary compliance via verbal warning prior to a citation.
If someone falls on a sidewalk, Mastromoro said, the homeowner is liable for it. However, this can fall back on the village if they had notice of the situation. That said, and with laws on the books, Mayor James Kierzinski said, “The laws are there. We just need to enforce them.”
Some municipalities have begun to fine residents who do not take the appropriate measures to keep their sidewalks clean, starting at $25 the first time the DPW has to maintain them, and the price escalating per each time afterward.
Village Clerk and Treasurer Karen Crouse said that each water bill also states the rules and regulations of maintaining sidewalks throughout the seasons of the year, amongst other issues of code enforcement.
Without any favoritism shown, trustees said that Codes Enforcer Mike Carney would be directed to begin citing those who do not follow the regulations.
In other business Monday:
•The water evaluation is still being worked on, and within six to eight months, more information should be available.
•There is a shortage of rock salt throughout the region, and as of this point in time, Weaver said, the village has about 10-12 tons to work with, which is being rationed carefully.
•The board discussed with Weaver the possibility of having someone calibrate the chlorine analyzer for water. The current one is about seven years old. It would cost $3,000 to replace it, and $1,000 to see if that is necessary. Considering the age of the current one, board members agreed that perhaps it should be included in the next budget for the DPW.
•Fred Campione, from the wastewater treatment plant, said that the plant is running well, with a new sink recently installed. In preparing to get rid of sludge in the spring, he requested a $1,000 line item transfer, something which Crouse said was within the same funds and automatically admissible.

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